Josephine Stone, 101

Jo passed away on August 10, 2025, at Tobacco Root Care Center. The family would like to thank them for their wonderful care and support during her time with them and for their support over her last few days for her family.

Josephine Stone was born Dorothy Josephine Hooton on March 15, 1924, to Marvin Lawrence and Ruby Dorothy Hodges Hooton at the Midwife's home behind the Courthouse in Hollister, California. She was their third child and only daughter. She joined brothers Dean Lawrence and Dwen Russell (Buster). Later, the family was complete with the birth of brother Oscar William (Bill). She grew up on several ranches in San Benito County as her father worked as a ranch hand and broke horses for a living. She also spent time on her maternal grandparents, Oscar and Josie Hodges', ranch in the Antelope Valley. Her father broke horses for the US Army during World War I. She graduated from Hollister High School in 1942 and married her high school sweetheart, Keith Stone, the following November. Five children were born to them in the following years. They worked hand in hand in Agriculture until his death in 2001. He was a wonderful husband and father who was orphaned at six years old and became a farmer at nine.

In September of 1967, they followed his lifetime dream and moved lock, stock, and barrel to southwest Montana. There, they continued to make their living in Agriculture.

Josephine was privileged to work in the kitchen at both Western Montana College in Dillon, Montana, and at the Montana Children's Center at Twin Bridges, Montana. After an accident forced his semi-retirement, most of the farming and stock work fell to their eldest son. Keith and Jo continued to live pretty active lives, however, until his death in 2001 in Forsyth, Montana. Josephine returned to Sheridan, Montana, to be near her family and worked in the Senior Citizen Center there for a few years before moving to Whitehall, Montana, to be near her youngest son.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 58+ years, V. Keith Stone; her parents; brothers Dean, Dwen, and William Hooton; her beloved companions Lady and Scooter; her son-in-law, Dennis Stevenson; and grandson-in-law, Gordon Wetzsteon.

She is survived by her sons Keith Vernon Stone of Shasta City, CA, Marvin Claude Stone of Whitehall, MT; daughters Ruby Virginia (Dennis) Stevenson of Montrose, CO, Dorothy June (Everett) Baker of Los Banos, CA, and Judith Adele (Ted) Bacon of Twin Bridges, MT; thirteen grandchildren, twenty-four great-grandchildren, and seventeen great-great-grandchildren, with one on the way.

She wished to give special thanks to the following: To Marvin, for all his special care over the last couple of years. To Keith V. for the many ways he has been a support for her over the years. To Tyler, Maggie Raechel, and Joetta for the help and love they have given her. To the neighbors, who have stepped up so many times when she was in need. To her daughters for all the time, gifts, and love.

She loved you all and appreciated every bit of it. She requested that any memorials in her name be given to the ACLU.